Upgrading HDX
Posted by: Hedstrom on 02 February 2014
Hello,
I have a first generation HDX which I am just about to send in for service. I am considering whether it also could be worth to (1) change the sound card (PCI) and (2) to change to a SSD hard drive. Any thoughts on whether this is worth doing would be much appreciated.
Best,
Peter
Bought my HDX with 2x500GB with the updated Soundcard included already (hence the 2nd Generation I suppose). 15 months ago I decided to update to the SSD Version as in the meantime I developed a home Network incl. NAS and wanted my music to be stored in one location only. Besides the obvious improvement for the lower operation noise (in fact no noise at all) and less heat generation I realized an unexpected, slight improvement in sound quality.
However the HDX-SSD is running without any issues so far.
Re your sound card - if that's the one which cannot play 192kHz files this yould give you the final reason to change. If you may want to add a DAC later a Sound Card update is obviously not necessary...
General opinion a couple of years ago was that the sound card and RAM updates were a significant improvement, sound quality-wise. The move to SSD, I think, involves different issues; for me it would be based primarily on heat/HDD reliability. My 2x500Gb HDX with the electronics updates gets pretty warm (~48-52 degrees, depending on where monitored).
Many thanks to both of you. Based on your comments I will go for the sound card/ram upgrade but not the SSD. I have not experienced any real heat problems, probably because I already keep all my music on a NAS.
Best,
Peter
As above. The RAM and sound board updates gave the HDX a bit leg up, particularly the latter. I got my HDD unit converted to SSD also. There was a mention in a past edition of the Naim newsletter that the SSD version is theoretically the best sounding option because it produces the least mechanical and electrical noise. I wouldn't know about that and I suppose system performance will depend on a lot of factors, but I was happy to optimise this as part of a bigger plan for storing and accessing my music, involving a NAS and with no need (or desire) to have music stored inside the HDX.
Or get the HDD upgraded to a larger disc, and one which supports the Downloads folder where you can store rips made elsewhere.
Bought my HDX with 2x500GB with the updated Soundcard included already (hence the 2nd Generation I suppose). 15 months ago I decided to update to the SSD Version as in the meantime I developed a home Network incl. NAS and wanted my music to be stored in one location only. Besides the obvious improvement for the lower operation noise (in fact no noise at all) and less heat generation I realized an unexpected, slight improvement in sound quality.
However the HDX-SSD is running without any issues so far.
Re your sound card - if that's the one which cannot play 192kHz files this yould give you the final reason to change. If you may want to add a DAC later a Sound Card update is obviously not necessary...
The digital output quality is tied to the sound card (which has no DAC circuitry onboard), so you would want to update this, even if using the server with an external DAC.
Or get the HDD upgraded to a larger disc, and one which supports the Downloads folder where you can store rips made elsewhere.
Which I believe is done via firmware update? I still wouldn't want the files stored inside the HDX. From the beginning it has been possible to store ripped music to any location on the network, so off device backup is nice for those who don't mind storing music inside the HDX.
The SSD conversion was just OCD on my part. If I had known that the SSD version was less than a year away when I bought my HDX I would have hung back. Some you win, some you don't.
Agree with previous post, the upgrade of the PCI card is a major upgrade - a no brainer. I stayed on HDD inside and took the last 2Tb which resolve the problem of fan and heat. The advantage of the download folder is huge peculiary if you have HD files and not a good network or NAS. Note that you also can change the RCA for a BNC digital out. In this last case it seems that it doesn't affect the sound.